Short-Term Rentals

**UPDATE TO MUNICIPAL CODE TITLE 4, CHAPTER 24 AND SECTION 10-2.1715**Recent Modifications to Illicit Short-Term Rentals (STRs)Effective May 9th, 2024, the Ojai Municipal Code contains the following provisions:
  • STRs are considered rentals for 30 days or less for any form of compensation.
  • STRs now includes a new definition of “fractional vacation property” which means any property in which ownership is divided among multiple persons or legal entities and each person or legal entity with an ownership interest has a legal right to occupy and/or rent the home for any fraction of the year that is less than 30 days.
  • Unlawful STRs include any advertisement, contract, lease, or agreement that initially defined the rental term to be 30 days or greater and which was subsequently amended to allow the occupant(s) of the STR to leave the rental before the expiration of the initial rental term that results in an actual rental term of less than 30 days.
  • Any person found in violation shall be guilty of an infraction or a misdemeanor and shall be subject to the penalties. Such person shall be deemed guilty of a separate offense for each and every day during any portion of which any violation is committed and shall be punishable.
  • Any person found in violation shall be subject to a fine of $1,500 for a first violation, a fine of $3,000 for a second violation within one year of the first violation, and a fine of $5,000 for each additional violation within one year of the first violation, in addition to administrative costs and interest; and forfeiture and disgorgement of all rents and other gross revenue unlawfully received during the period of violation; with interest at the highest rate allowed by law.
  • Failure to pay any fine within 90 days will result in a debt against the real property on which the violation occurred, and be subject to liens and special assessments, in addition to any other lawful remedy.
  • A person who is acting as an agent for a transferor of real property that is located within the City of Ojai, or the transferor if acting without an agent, shall disclose to any prospective transferee or purchaser the fact that unlawful short-term, transient, and vacation rentals, and fractional vacation property operation are not allowed anywhere in the City of Ojai. The City Manager shall make a form for this disclosure available to all persons.